Fantasy Football Start ’em Sit ’em Week 1 (2019)
Are you not entertained?! The greatest game in the world is back!
To all you returning Couch Fam and followers, I am so thankful to guide you on another journey towards that elusive league championship. For those of you who are new to this site and just started playing fantasy, buckle up because you are in for a rollercoaster of highs and lows unlike anything you have experienced before (no, this is not hyperbole)!
Now this list is not for everyone and I am sure that some of you will disagree with some of the players on it. Just as a reminder to those who haven’t read this list before, I generally exclude obvious players who are starts which are players who are typically drafted in the first two rounds. And for those n00bs out there who keep picking Patrick Mahomes in the first round, stop it! You look silly, stop reaching!
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With that out of the way, let’s start this season off right and get the W in Week 1!
Week 1 Start ’em
David Montgomery – Chi RB
With Jordan Howard now running the ball in Philly, David Montgomery has the chance to be the top rookie rusher in the NFL, giving first rounder Josh Jacobs of the Raiders and the Eagles’ Miles Sanders a run for their money. Montgomery will almost surely emerge as the workhorse running back for the Bears, with diminutive pass catching back Tarik Cohen serving as a change of pace option in Matt Nagy’s offense.
As far as player comparisons go, Montgomery reminds me a lot of former Bears great Matt Forte, possessing surprising elusiveness for a back that size and elite receiving ability out of the backfield. In Week 1 the Bears will face their bitter rivals the Packers in front of their home crowd, with Aaron Rodgers and Mitch Trubisky sure to put on an aerial show. This should benefit Montgomery who will make his fantasy debut in dramatic fashion on TNF!
David Montgomery Week 1 Projections: 12 rushing attempts, 105 yards, 1 rushing TD, 3 receptions, 1 receiving TD
QBs to Start
Jameis Winston
Jared Goff
Lamar Jackson
Kyler Murray
Kirk Cousins
Jimmy Garoppolo
Tom Brady
Nick Foles
RBs to Start
Derrick Henry
Mark Ingram
Austin Ekeler
Kerryon Johnson
James White
Tony Pollard*
Philip Lindsay
Josh Jacobs
Sony Michel
Marlon Mack
Tevin Coleman
Matt Breida
Royce Freeman
Miles Sanders
Justin Jackson
WRs to Start
Amari Cooper
Tyler Lockett
Josh Gordon
Tyler Boyd
Allen Robinson
Mike Williams
Will Fuller
Dede Westbrook
Sterling Shepherd
Emmanuel Sanders
Curtis Samuel
Courtland Sutton
D.K. Metcalf
James Washington
Dante Pettis
Michael Gallup
Mecole Hardman
TEs to Start
Evan Engram
Jared Cook
Hunter Henry
David Njoku
Austin Hooper
Delanie Walker
Jack Doyle
Week 1 Sit ’em
Aaron Jones – GB RB
The Packers’ third year running back is typically being drafted in the third round of 12-team drafts, but most of it is due to his sky-high potential. Jones may finally be ready for his breakout season, but it won’t happen Week 1 against a stingy Bears’ defense that is playing in front of a raucous home crowd. In case you forgot, the Packers ran the fewest running plays per game of any team in the NFL last season with a 20.8 average.
In what will likely emerge as an aerial shootout, the Packers will likely abandon the running game in favor of a game plan tailored to Aaron Rodgers ability to throw on the run. This does not bode well for Mr.Jones who will not be able to stay on the field if he cannot pass protect effectively for Mr. Rodgers.
Aaron Jones Week 1 Projections: 7 rushing attempts, 56 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD’s, 2 receptions, 0 receiving TD’s, 1 fumble
QBs to Sit
Cam Newton
Matt Ryan
Russell Wilson
Ben Roethlisberger
Mitch Trubisky
Josh Allen
Case Keenum
Jacoby Brissett
Marcus Mariota
Derek Carr
RBs to Sit
Duke Johnson Jr.
Jordan Howard
LeSean McCoy
Devin Singletary
Latavius Murray
Kenyan Drake
Kalen Ballage
Frank Gore
Ronald Jones
Adrian Peterson
Darell Henderson
Rashaad Penny
Damien Harris
Carlos Hyde
Jaylen Samuels
Nyheim Hines
Dion Lewis
Justice Hill
WRs to Sit
T.Y. Hilton
D.J. Moore
Alshon Jefferey
Calvin Ridley
Jarvis Landry
Cooper Kupp
Sammy Watkins
Corey Davis
Christian Kirk
Larry Fitzgerald
Geronimo Allison
Marquez Valdez-Scantling
Keke Coutee
DaeSean Hamilton
Marquise Goodwin
Michael Crabtree
TEs to Sit
Eric Ebron
Greg Olsen
Jordan Reed
Mark Andrews
TJ Hockensen
Trey Burton
Noah Fant
